When was the machine launched? Ricoh’s Pro C751 light production SRA3 digital press was one of three presses first previewed at Graphitec in Paris back in June, but it didn’t get an official launch until this month. The Pro C651EX and Pro C751EX are scanner models, while C751 is a print-only version. To coincide with the launch, Ricoh is hosting a number of preview events – one of which is planned for central London in September.

Who is the machine targeted at? According to Ricoh, the machine fits the needs of digital, print-for-pay and direct mail providers. Emma Pynaert, product manager for the Pro C751 series, says it’s ideal for those taking their first steps in digital print. "Light production printing has increased in demand over the past two or three years," she says. "This machine takes some of best features from the Pro C901 graphic arts machine and combines it with some exciting new innovations."

What’s its USP? The machine comes with Ricoh’s brand new vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) technology, which enables it to print up to 1,200x4,800dpi. VCSEL has as many as 40 laser beams emitting simultaneously, which aids job accuracy. The machine has a tight registration tolerance of +/-0.5mm, and VCSEL comes with magnification correction technology to correct paper skews and compensate for distortion – particularly important in duplex mode. In addition, Ricoh says it is the first cut-sheet digital printer to have a liquid cooling system to regulate heat build-up around the developer unit, reducing downtime and making longer runs more reliable.

What are its other main features? Another new technology is Active Toner Density Control, which, as the name suggests, monitors the amount of toner being used for a particular output and provides the developer unit with the right amount needed. "Rather than having to limp along with a designated density reading, this offers real-time toner monitoring," explains Pynaert. Inherited from the Pro C901 is PxP polymerised toner. PxP toner consists of ultra-fine particles with a low melting point, which helps to give the print a smoother "offset-like" finish. Meanwhile, there is a new advanced overcoat layer on the Stabilisation OPC (organic photoconductor) drum, which increases both durability and the ability to produce stable colour during continuous print runs. Ricoh also prides itself on the wide variety of substrates that work with the press.

How fast is it? Pynaert says the speed and the volume of the press makes it fit comfortably within the light production environment. Top speed in both mono and colour for the Pro C751 and Pro C751EX is 75 pages-per-minute (pp/min) while the Pro C651 runs at 65pp/min. An LED light indicates which tray is in use, so another tray can be refilled ready for the next print job.

How easy is it to use? The Pro C751 has the same "intuitive" control panel as the Pro C901, says Pynaert. There is also real-time synchronisation with the Fiery RIP, which is connected as standard. "Because the press and the RIP are talking to each other, it reduces the possibility of operator error," she adds.

What about training and support? Ricoh offers two full days of training with the purchase of any new machine. Pynaert says the training days can be held consecutively, or should the customer need time to get to know the machine and come back with a few queries, they can be held a number of days apart. Different levels of service contracts are available, all with various call-out times. Part of the service support is the machine’s Enhanced Operator Replaceable Units (ORUs), which are effectively key components of the machine that the operator can replace themselves, rather than have to wait for an engineer. That said, Ricoh has more than 100 engineers scattered across the country.

How much does it cost and how many installations have there been? Ricoh’s "basic system" starts at £103,000 and includes a staple finisher, a large-capacity input tray, the Fiery RIP and the ORUs. Sheffield-based Evolution Print has taken on the machine after a period of beta-testing, and there are currently a further six signed orders waiting to be processed.

SPECIFICATIONS
Speed
Pro C751, Pro C751EX:
75pp/min,
Pro C651: 65pp/min
Resolution
1,200x4,800dpi
Max paper size
330.2x487.7mm
Technology
Four-drum electrostatic transfer system with internal transfer belt
Toner
PxP polymerised
chemical toner
Weight
Less than 580kg
RIP
EFI Fiery E-41A
Price from £103,000
Contact
Ricoh UK 0800 904090 www.ricoh.co.uk

ALTERNATIVES
Canon imagePress C6010
Canon’s imagePress C6010 may only run at 61pp/min, but production output is still high due to the fact that up to 10,000 sheets can be fed into the machine from eight different sources. Canon’s V toner, meanwhile, allows for eight hours of uninterrupted production time. Coated media up to 325gsm can be handled.
Speed 61.7 A4 pp/min
Resolution 1,200dpi
Price from £80,000
Contact Canon UK 01737 220000 www.canon.co.uk

Konica Minolta bizhub Pro C7000
With eight-bit colour, the bizhub Pro C7000 has a short-interval stability control that automatically monitors image consistency during continuous printing. Automated colour management tools provide hands-free calibration. A wide range of substrates is supported including paper up to 300gsm, and a 7,500 sheet maximum input capacity easily handles long print runs.
Speed 71 A4 pp/min
Resolution 1,200dpi
Price £126,108 (with Fiery RIP)
Contact Konica Minolta 01268 534444  www.konicaminolta.co.uk

Xerox 700 Digital Colour Press
Xerox says that its Emulsion Aggregation Toner produces a smooth, offset-like matt finish with outstanding shadow detail on the 700 DCP. Popular is the machine’s optional oversized high-capacity feeder. Available in one- or two-drawer versions, the feeder includes air blowers to aid sheet separation and registration when working with heavy and coated stocks.
Speed 70 A4 pp/min
Resolution 2,400dpi
Price £50,000
Contact Xerox UK 0870 873 4519 www.xerox.co.uk